by 
The Curious Bag
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Cholesterol is found in the fats (lipids) in the bloodstream. It's also found in every cell of your body. There is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. It is a soft, waxy substance that does not dissolve in the blood.
HDL
Good cholesterol, such as High-density Lipoprotein (HDL), helps form cell membranes and some sex hormones. HDL also removes excess cholesterol in your blood and delivers it to your liver for elimination from the body. High levels of HDL in your blood are good.
LDL
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are very bad. They carry cholesterol throughout your entire body, including the different organs and tissues. Too much cholesterol in the blood eventually builds up on the blood vessel walls. This is called plague, which leads to swelling, bleeding, and calcification in that area. Left untreated, LDL will restrict blood flow, which causes heart attack.
HDL Levels
The average HDL levels range from 40 to 50 mg/dl (1.0 to 1.3 mmol/L). The average HDL levels range from 50 to 60 mg/dl (1.3 to 1.6 mmol/L).
LDL Levels
Lowering LDL levels is the main focus of treatment, and numbers vary depending on your underlying risk of heart disease. For those at very high risk of heart disease, LDL should be below 70 mg/dl. A near optimal LDL level is 100 to129 mg/dl.
Testing
A simple blood test will determine your HDL and LDL levels.
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